MINUTES OF THE UT MARTIN
SENATE MEETING
September 26, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
Before the meeting, there was a brief memorial service held in honor of the faculty and staff members that died over the summer. Dr. Milton Simmons honored John Eisterhold, Polly Glover, Jose Jennings, and Brian Brown with a eulogy.
The first meeting of the 2000 Fall Semester was called to order at 3:45 p.m. by President Richard Chesteen in the Watkins Auditorium of the Boling University Center.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The minutes from the last meeting of the 2000 Spring Semester were not yet available for approval.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Maurice Field presented the ballot for Vice-president and he called for other nominations. It was motioned and carried to accept the ballot with the current names, Ed Wheeler and Ernie Harriss.
REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Executive Committee
No report.
Budget and Economic Concerns
Jenna Wright brought a report from the Budget and Economic Concerns Committee. She gave a handout that explained the increased parking fees help to generate funds for more parking facilities and maintenance. Wright also discussed insurance changes and reported that several hospitals have pulled out of the plan. She also gave the final report of summer school task force. She also discussed a subcommittee for library funding.
Undergraduate Council
Ed Wheeler brought the curriculum proposals from the September 5 meeting. They were all approved. The same rules as last year apply i.e. a representative from each department must be present to answer any questions.
Sue Byrd presented curriculum proposals from the September 5 meeting as a motion and a second for approval. Motion carried.
Instruction Committee
The Instruction Committee had no recommendations to bring before the Senate. They are prioritizing for the next meeting.
Faculty Relations
The committee had nothing to report.
Library Committee
Ernie Harriss was voted in as chair at the first meeting on September 20. The BECC was thanked for their efforts on the library budget.
Personnel Policies
Faculty Handbook revisions on the reorganization and elections to vacant positions were discussed.
The committee decided that they will follow the Handbook on the issue of
promotion. A faculty member can be promoted without tenure.
President Chesteen discussed distance learning courses. Senators talked about whether or not to form an ongoing committee. This will be discussed further in the next meeting.
A Bachelor of University Studies degree will be offered.
Lt. Taylor will replace Sherry Boyce on the Senate.
Chancellor Dunagan reported Katie High is the liaison appointed by Dr. Gilley to reestablish a good rapport between the faculty and administration. She will visit occasionally to see how the campus is progressing.
The senators were asked to think about whether or not graduate assistants should be given more money or if they should have their tuition paid.
Sue Byrd has agreed to be SACS director.
Reorganization will not be looked at again.
The UTM degree will still say “The University of Tennessee” at the top.
Dr. Nick Dunagan thanked everyone for their support of him and UTM.
Dr. Chesteen opened the floor for questions. Electronic grade posting, tenure and terminal degree requirements, and teaching assignments for 12 month chairs were issues brought before the Senate.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.